[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 81 (Saturday, May 23, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING ACT OF 2015
Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 89, H.R. 2353.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 2353) to provide an extension of Federal-aid
highway, highway safety, motor carrier safety, transit, and
other programs funded out of the Highway Trust Fund, and for
other purposes.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there further debate?
The Senator from Illinois.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, is there going to be a unanimous consent
request made at this point?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair understands there will be.
Mr. DURBIN. I will reserve the right to object at that point.
Mr. President, in the interest of time--I know it is early in the
morning--I would like to make a statement. I am not going to object to
proceeding to this measure, but I would like to make a matter of record
what I am sure the Senator from South Dakota already knows: that absent
our action at this moment, the Federal highway program authority will
expire May 31.
We have just spent the better part of the evening contemplating the
expiration of important law relative to our national security, and we
have not resolved it.
What is happening here, of course, is a request for a 60-day
extension of the Federal highway program. I might say--and I am sure
the Senator from South Dakota is well aware of this--this is the 33rd
short-term extension of our Federal highway program.
I think all of us understand that the program that once was
considered to be the centerpiece of America's infrastructure and its
economy has now deteriorated to the point where we are extending it for
1 month, 2 months, and 3 months at a time. Frankly, it does not serve
our country and it doesn't serve our economy. It is a reflection on the
lack of leadership by those who have the authority in committees and in
the House and Senate to propose a measure that becomes a long-term
highway program.
I just want to make it clear that instead of enacting a 6-year
transportation program worthy of our great Nation, this Congress
continues to limp along down a political highway of excuses. It is
coming to an end.
There have been lengthy discussions in our Democratic caucus that
these continued short-term extensions are unacceptable in this great
Nation. And I would just say that although we will agree to this 60-day
extension, we are serving notice on the majority leader in the Senate
as well as the Speaker to do their job and to enact a law that provides
the kind of infrastructure that could build America's economy.
So I will not object to this request, but notice is given that in
this 60 days, it is time for this Congress to act.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is
on the third reading of the bill.
The bill was ordered to a third reading and was read the third time.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The bill having been read the third time, the
question is, Shall the bill pass?
The bill (H.R. 2353) was passed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Dakota.
Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the motion to
reconsider be made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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